Pivot positioner for a baseball player&#39;s rear foot



M. P. SERTICH Sept. 9, 1969 PIVOT POSITIONER FOR A BASEBALL PLAYERS REARFOOT Filed Sept. 6. 1966 INVENTOR MICHAEL P SERTICH ATTORNEY S UnitedStates Patent 3,466,040 PIVOT POSITIONER FOR A BASEBALL PLAYERS REARFOO-T Michael P. Sertich, 405 Forest Hills Drive NE., Atlanta, Ga. 30300Filed Sept. 6, 1966, Ser. No. 577,504 Int. Cl. A63b 69/00 US. Cl. 273-265 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pivot positioner for a playersfoot which is designed to ensure proper rear foot pivot action as inbatting in baseball. The device comprises foot securing clamps which aremounted upon a rotatable plate causing the player to pivot in positionon his rear foot, securing his balance and avoiding thereby lunging,overstriding and related errors in performing baseball and relatedsports.

Cross references to related applications This device is related inprinciple to my invention entitled Sports Training Device, U.S. PatentNo. 3,372,930, granted Mar. 12, 1968 and co-pending patent applicationSer. No. 581,996, filed Sept. 21, 1966, entitled Sports Training Device.

Background of the invention In baseball it is important for the hittersto pivot and push on the ball of the rear foot when batting. This givescomplete utilization and control of the body, and consequent properhitting technique and form.

Proper action of the rear pivotal foot gives better footwork, which inturn results in: the proper and desired body balance and control; fullhip and shoulder action; the desired shorter and firm front foot stride;level shoulders and hips for level swing; and head restrained fromexcessive movement so that eyes can better follow the ball. All of thisgives the player better timing, consistency and maximum power.

The common fault with the majority of hitters, especially beginners, islunging and hitting off the front .foot, thereby preventing the backfoot from pivoting properly. This results in improper footwork which inturn causes bad hitting habits, technique and form, such as body lungingforward and being oflf-balance causing overstriding, excessive headmovement, lunging, locked hips, unlevel swing along with making itdifficult for the player to avoid being hit by pitched balls. Lungingand being off the back foot alone creates this danger. All of thesefaults can be improved or corrected by the players position residing insimply remaining and pivoting on the back foot. Improper footwork, it isknown, usually results in poor body action.

The hitting experts know and realize the importance of remaining andpivoting on the back foot; the problem being how to accomplish thedifficult task of remaining and pivoting on back toe. It is recognizedthat hitters are made and not born through proper habits, instructionsand practice. Good hitters continue to practice hitting form to retainor improve timing, body control and coordination.

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3,466,040 Patented Sept. 9, 1969 It is thus necessary if a player is tobecome expertise in such sports, that he be taught the proper use of therear foot and toe which will, in turn, lead to the proper desiredfootwork for desired hitting technique and form.

This invention is therefore concerned with an apparatus for teachingproper rear foot pivot primarily for baseball, as well as other varioussports such as softball, golf, tennis or any sport where the rear footpivot action is essential or desired for proper footwork and bodycoordination. This will become apparent from the following specificationand attached drawings which describe the invention in terms of abaseball form training apparatus.

The object of this invention is to provide an apparatus to teach properplayer form and technique in hitting ball in sports. This trainingdevice forces the hitters back foot to remain and pivot which in turngives the desired footwork and body coordination. Thus, a hitter learnsand feels the proper use of rear foot pivot, and forms the habits ofcorrect hitting technique and form. This device can be used indoors oroutdoors, with or without a platform.

Another object of this invention is to describe a device which mayreadily be used by individuals, as well as large groups of players, suchas by a professional club, or by amateur groups such as Little League,etc., as part of their ordinary training.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for clampinga players rear foot in position, so as to teach proper player form andtechnique.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sports training devicewhich may be easily assembled with a minimum of effort and time, foreflicient utilization of said sports training device.

Another object of invention is to provide a sports training device thatis easily adaptable for both indoor and outdoor use.

These and other objects of invention will be apparent from the followingspecification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the sports training device;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sports train ing device, takenalong the section lines 2-2 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the Teflon washer 160;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the outdoor anchor 260.

This invention represents an improvement over the Sports TrainingDevice, Ser. No. 453,286, in that rotating means as well as the meansfor holding the rear foot in proper position, are substantiallysimplified.

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate the general configuration of the sportstraining device, as comprising a round, flat metal plate 100. This baseplate defines hole at its center. Upper foot plate 200 also defines ahole 202 at its center, holes 110 and 202 being positioned so as tocoincide when the plates are coaxially arranged. As internally-threadedcylindrical casing 150, having a small head on its upper end, acts as anaxial pin when fitted through holes 110 and 202. The upper foot plate200 is allowed to rotate on casing 150. The attachment of plates 100 and200 is completed with the insertion of screw 152 into casing 150.

Surrounding this pin between the two plates is washer of theconfiguration illustrated in FIGURE 3, comprising two concentricallyarranged lubricant rings connected by four tangential radials of thesame material. The arrangement of these radials permits the washer 160to discard particles which might otherwise accumulate between the tworings. Washer 160 permits smoother rotation of the raised plate on theaxial casing by reducing friction between plates 100 and 200. Thefriction tension may be varied by tightening screw 152.

The upper foot plate 200 is bent slightly upward on each end as can beseen in FIGURE 2. The beveled portions of the upper plate 200 defineslots 210 and 210. These slots are arranged on the line extending fromthe center of the plate to the midpoints of the outside edges. Slots 210and 210' are of a width corresponding to the square heads of bolts 212and 212 so that the bolts when fitted into the slots cannot be turned,although they are free to move either toward or away from the center ofthe plate along the length of the slots.

Bolts 212 and 212 are extended through holes 218 and 218', as defined bythe clamps 230 and 230. The attachment of the clamps to the upper footplate 200 is completed by screwing the large, internally-threadedcylindrical casings 214 and 214 down onto bolts 212 and 212'. Thisscrewing action which also provides for the adjustment of thepositioning of the clamps is accomplished more easily by the use ofhandles 216 and 216'.

Clamps 230 and 230 are bent at approximately 90 as illustrated in FIGURE2 so that when the base half of the clamp is flush with the beveledportion of the upper foot plate 200, the side panels of the clamps areperpendicular to these beveled portions and consequently lean in towardsthe level portion of the upper foot plate. This positioning of theclamps permits both vertical and horizontal forces to act in securingthe players foot.

It should be noted that the attachment of the clamps 230 and 230 toupper foot plate 200 is effected in such a way as to permit easyadjustment of the clamp towards or away from the center of upper plate200. Further, when casings 214 and 214 are loosened, the clamp platesare allowed to rotate on bolts 212 and 212', thus permitting theadjustment of the clamp plates to the position required by the shape aswell as the width of the players foot.

The mechanical operation of the improved sports training device isbriefly as follows. The player places his real foot on upper foot plate200, securing the foot in position by the adjustment of clamps 230 and230. As the player goes through the motion of a swing, his rear footpivots causing upper plate 200 to rotate on casing 150. Base plate 100remains stationary throughout the swing motion.

The present invention is an improvement over the original SportsTraining Device Patent No. 3,372,930. The present design permits asimpler construction and less cumbersome operation through theimprovement of the frictional relationship between the base and therotating members. The new Teflon washer permits smoother rotation of theupper plate on the axial pin. The means of attachment also provides ameans for adjusting the frictional tension so that the device can beemployed by players of all power abilities.

The clamping device supported by the upper foot plate represents afurther improvement over the original device. Its design permits astrong and stable securing action through the application of bothvertical and horizontal pressure components to the foot. It also permitsa relatively simple and versatile means of adjustment.

A rectangular piece of hard rubber 240 is attached to the upper footplate 200 so that the device may be used with all sorts of sport shoes,including those which are cleated or spiked. Foam rubber pads 242 and242 are attached to the clamps so that the sports shoe will not be cutor scratched by the metal parts of the device. It should be noted herethat clamps 230 and 230' have a small perpendicular flange at their topedge which protects the rubber pad so that it will not be torn from itsposition by constant insertion of sports shoes.

The improved sports device can be used in or out of doors. Cushions250250" provide for the use of the improved sports device indoors on anysort of floor and outdoors on hard surfaces. Anchor piece 260 is easilyattached to the bottom of the base plate by loosening screw 152 andsliding the anchor along the bottom so that screw 152 fits into slot 262at which point the screw may be tightened securing the outdoor anchoringpiece in position.

To use the pivot training device to practice batting and moreparticularly to learn to pivot on the rear foot properly during thebatting swing, the player inerts his foot in the manner described above.He is forced to stand on the ball of his rear foot throughout the swingbecause plate 200 is only large enough to support that part of the foot.Staying and pivoting on the back toe restricts lunging, overstriding andprevents the body from going forward excessively. When pivotingproperly, the front foot heel will automatically hit the ground giving asolid block from the front leg and hold the body back. The front legwill be rigid and power will remain on the back toe until contact withthe ball. Proper pivot results in better body balance and control.Because the freedom of rotation on the device magnifies and overturn inthe pivoting motion, the player learns to control the pivot so thatbalance is maintained.

Although I have described my invention for particular use by a baseballplayer, it may be used in other sports, for example, golf. Thus, whentaking a swing at a golf ball, my invention may be utilized to obtain acorrect rear foot pivot action for proper body movement andcoordination. My invention could be constructed in a more compact formso that the golfer would be able to keep the device on the bottom of hisfoot for the duration of his game. My invention is thus designed for usein all sports, where the position of the rear foot angularly whenplaying, for example, when taking a swing at a ball. After forming theproper hitting habits, through continued use of this invention, theplayer will then be able to translate them into the actual playingfield.

I claim:

1. A pivot position training device which is adapted to ensure properfoot action of a player, comprising:

(A) a lower anchoring base plate, having means to secure againstrotational and lineal dispositive forces;

(B) an upper foot plate, secured in rotatable relation to said baseplate, said upper foot plate having a central portion to support theball of the players foot and including (Bl) foot clamping means adjacentthe central portion of the plate, to operably secure the foot of theplayer against movement relative to said plate during use thereof;

(B2) said upper foot plate being bent upwardly at its extremities, saidclamping means being adjustably attached to the portions of said upperplate bent upward to operably secure the foot of the user to said footplate by the application of both vertical and horizontal pressurecomponent means.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said clamping y means comprisesopposed clamps attached to said upper foot plate by the insertion offriction bolts engaging slots defined by upper foot plate on at endsthereof.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein:

(A) said clamping means are padded interiorly with a resilient tread toprevent injury to the shoe of the user;

(B) the foot supporting portion of the upper plate supporting the ballof the users foot being covered by a pad permitting the player to wearspiked or cleated shoes.

5 6 4. The pivot position training device of claim 1 further IReferences Cited comprising:

an axial pin engaging the respective plates centrally UNITED STATESPATENTS thereof, securing said plates in rotatable relation 2,189,613 2/1940 Paulsen 273-188 and a bearing concentrically disposed in fittingrela- 2,351,293 6/ 1944 Saunders 272-57 tion to the pin, said bearingcomprising two concen- 5 2,835,492 5/1958 La Londe 272-57 tric lubricantrings, connected by radials, said radials 3,021,137 2/ 1962 Palmer272-57 being arranged t0 render the bearing self-cleaning. 3,091,0435/1963 McCorkle 272-57 5. The pivot position training device of claim 1further 3,100 63 9 8/1953 Bonewitz 272 57 comprlslng= 10 3,279,80810/1966 Brownlee 280-1131 an axial pin engaging the plates centrallythereof, to

secure them in rotatable relation and a bearing con- RICHARD PINKHAM,Primary Examiner centrically disposed in fitting relation to the pin,said device further comprising screw and thread RICHARD W. DIAZ,Assistant Examiner means adapted to the pin, whereby upon tightening 15thereof an increase in frictional tension may occur between the upperfoot plate and the base plate, 272-57 permitting control thereby offreedom of rotation of the upper plate with respect to the lower plate.

US. Cl. X.R.

